Pelicans win wild marathon in 12-inning duel with Dash

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans erased a pair of three-run deficits and scored eight runs off the Winston-Salem Dash bullpen to pull out a four hour and 28-minute 12-10 marathon win Saturday at BB&T Ballpark.

Still tied 10-10 in the top of the twelfth, Charcer Burks started the inning with a walk before Rashad Crawford singled. After Dash (38-54, 10-12) reliever Euclides Leyer (0-4) threw out the lead runner on a bunt attempt from Gleyber Torres, Ian Rice singled to left. Crawford was able to beat Winston left fielder Nick Basto’s throw at the plate to give Myrtle Beach (48-45, 12-11) an 11-10 lead. The next batter was Jason Vosler, who dumped a single into left to plate Torres and give the Birds a two-run advantage.

Daniel Lewis (1-0) gave up a single to Mason Robbins in the bottom of the twelfth but nothing more to earn the win. Lewis worked three innings of scoreless relief, fanning four to seal a wild victory for Myrtle Beach.

Saturday’s game comes after the Pelicans played until 12:17 in the morning the previous night, losing to Frederick 8-7 in 11 innings. It was the first time Myrtle Beach played back-to-back extra inning games since 2013.

The combined eight hours and 26 minutes of baseball is the most played in consecutive days in recorded Pelicans history, which dates back to 2005. Both games also featured rain delays, totaling one hour and 59 minutes.

All 18 starters picked up baseball hits in the game, and the 36 combined hits represented the most in a Pelicans game this year. Saturday’s contest was also the longest game Myrtle Beach has played since their four hour, 41-minute game at Potomac on July 30, 2014.

After James Pugliese worked a scoreless eighth inning for Myrtle Beach, the Birds turned to Daury Torrez with a 10-7 lead in the bottom of the ninth. Robbins and Basto singled to begin the frame before Zack Collins doubled to right-center to score both runners and make the score 10-9. Marcus Davis followed by slashing a double down the line in left to score Collins and tie the game at 10. After a Toby Thomas single and intentional walk to Breatt Austin, the Dash had the bases loaded and nobody out in a 10-10 game. Torrez then struck out three consecutive hitters to miraculously send the game to extra innings.

Both teams got the winning run to third base in the eleventh inning, but were unable to come through. The Pelicans and Dash will play again Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. Zach Hedges (7-7, 2.78) will start for Myrtle Beach, while Zach Thompson (0-0, 11.81) goes for Winston-Salem.